Delhi meet crucial for successful conclusion of Doha Round: US

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 2 (PTI) The US Trade Representative, Ron
Kirk, has said the two-day informal ministerial meeting in
New Delhi beginning September 3, is crucial for the successful
conclusion of the Doha Development Round.

"This week's ministerial, hosted by my colleague
(Commerce Minister) Anand Sharma, can be a very important step
toward our goal of the successful completion of the Doha Round
of negotiations," Kirk said in a teleconference with reporters
on the eve of the crucial meeting.

"The only reason that we are meeting in India was that,
based on our collective desire to say -- to have India play a
more productive role than the Doha talks. We worked with
Minister Sharma to convince our colleagues to gather in Delhi
for this important ministerial," Kirk said in response to
a question.

Kirk said participants of the meeting jointly share a
common objective and belief that completion of the Doha Round
can be a key element to helping the world recover from this
current economic crisis.

Responding to a question, Kirk said he has not received
any commitment or assurance from Sharma that India will help
in carrying the developing countries at the Doha Round.PTI